bill clinton is talking about. let's talk about a little more than a week from now until congress leaves for holiday recess, marking a crucial deadline in budget negotiations. will congress bargain on a deal by then? do you have the holiday spirit? here with us for details is john avlon, cnn political analyst and the executive editor of the daily beast, as we like to call the greninch who stole politics >> i love it. >> let's talk about clinton in one second. i want to talk about the december 13th deadline, the budget negotiators are supposed to come together and reach a budget deal. no word on any deal yet. our capitol hill unit has some reporting they're to a point where they're talking about outlining the end game. how, if they reach a deal, it would get through the house and senate. are you optimistic? what are you hearing? >> i'm cautiously optimistic. there's a reason cynicism passes for wisdom in washington. they've been keeping a tight lid on their negotiations. they haven't tried to get ahead of themselves